Method of filling containers



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4NNIINOD oN FILLING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 2, 194s NIMH!! Sept. l2, i9@c. A. som-HWICK, JR

METHOD oF FILLING CONTAINERS v2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Feb. 2, 1946 BYawww-L56 @LWN/WW) Patented Sept. l2, 1950 METHOD OF FILLING :CONTAINERSCharlesA. Southwick, Jr., Mount Vernon, Ohio, assignor to ShellmarProducts Corporation, Mount Vernon, Ohio, a corporation of DelawareApplication February 2, 194,"Seria1No. 645,079

5 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in bags and methods of fillingthe same, having particular reference to a multi-wall bag structure inwhich an inner liner bag is partially inserted within an outerreinforcing bag to the end that the inner liner bag readily can be lled,sealed and dropped to the bottom of the outer bag, whereupon the outerbag can thenbe secured together, preferably free of the inner bag, andthe provision of such a bag structure and method of filling and closingthe same is a principal object of the invention.

Conventional multi-wall bags made of paper, cloth or composite materialsare not moistureproof or airtight to any appreciable extent. This is duein part to perforations in the bag structures occurring during thestitching or sewing operations in providing the bottom and top closures.Such bags are also provided with overlapped vertical back seams whichare glued together. Corrosive or chemically active ingredients packed insuch bags will attack the glue in the seam from the inside of the bagsand break down the seam constructions. Such bags when filled lack properand desirable hermetically sealed characteristics. Furthermore, suchbags are not lined or coated to impart greaseproof properties thereto.

Generally, it is another object of the invention to overcome theforegoing difiiculties and other disadvantages by providing such a bagwith an insertable inner liner bag whereby the composite structurereadily can be filled and sealed for shipping.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide amulti-wall bag structure and method of iilling the same in which anouter reinforcing bag is utilized having an inner liner bag with aninner area equal at least to the inner area of the outer bag, with theinner bag inserted within the outer bag so that its bottom is spacedfrom the bottom of the outer bag a substantial distance with the top ofthe inner bag extending from the top of the outer bag, whereby thebottom of the outer bag can be squeezed together below the bottom of theinner bag, the inner bag filled and sealed so that it can be dropped tothe bottom of the outer bag and the latter closed and secured togetheracross the top.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the several steps and the relationof one or more of such steps with respect `to each ofthe others, .and

. 2 the article possessing the features, properties, and the relation ofelements, which are exemplied in the following detailed disclosure, andthe scope of the application of which will be indicated. in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the inventionreference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view illustrating an outer reinforcing bag;'

Fig. 2 illustrates an inner liner bag for said outer bag;

Fig. 3 illustrates the inner liner bag partially inserted Within theouter bag; y

Fig. 4 is a view `of an inner liner bag as it appears when inserted in agusseted outer reinforcing bag;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the composite bag structure setup for lling;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view illustrating the composite bag structurebeing filled;

Fig. 'l is a view, partly in section, illustrating the sealing of theinner bag structure after filling;

Fig. 8 `is a sectional View illustrating the inner liner bag beingpermitted to settle to the bottom of the outer reinforcing bag;

Fig. 9 is a view, partly in section, illustrating the closing of theouter bag over the inner liner bag;

Fig. 10 is a side view of the iilled and closed bag of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 1l is a view, partly in section, similar to that illustrated inFig. 9 showing the sealed inner liner bag joined together at its seamstructure with the seamstructure of the outer reinforcing bag. f

Referring more particularly to the drawings there is indicated generallyat I a multi-wall bag of the type, for example, used for packaginggranular materials. Because of the weight of such commodities it isnecessary that these bags 'v bevery strong and it is customary to makethem in a plurality of layers Il to provide the necessary strengthcharacteristics. An overlapped and glued seam construction is providedat I2. Such bags are conventionally sewn or stitched across the bottomas indicated at i3. After such4 a bag has been filled it is stitchedacross the top.

A bag of the foregoing type has great strength but because of thestitching in the seam area a suitable siftprcef, moisture-vaporproofensisru` tion cannot be provided. Also, because of the overlappedvertical seam I2 there is a tendency for the bag to leak because theseam tends to break down when chemical or corrosive materials are packedin the bag.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention it ispossible to utilize such a bag, or similar bag which will function as anouter reinforcing-structure, by the insertion therein of an inner linerof the type indicated generally at I5, Fig. 2. Such a liner may compriseany suitable brous or non-iibrous material which heatscalablecharacteristics. For example, such 'material as pliofilm could be usedor suiciently heavy heat-sealing cellophane. 'The yliner Ybag may be ofpaper materialhaving an overall or marginal application of aheat-sealable material. If no heat-sealable material is used and the bagis made by marginal applications of any other suitable adhesive, theclosure can be effected by a similar adhesive.

The inner linerbagiI'E-.can bemadefrom a single web 'ofsuch''inaterialsfolded transversely to provide 4a bottom closure as indicated at I6. Thestructure is then sealed'V marginally as at I'I to provide sideWall-seams.

4ffnother method-'of making `such a vbag -is to superpose tWo'- Webstofsuchf material and 'marginally yheat-seal `the' Ibottom and oppositesides.

A further type of bag which can be utilizedin connection withg thepresentv invention is to completely seal the bag, leaving a valveopening, or providing-suenan opening yby cutting away a portion of thebag whereupon the same can, -after nlling, vbe heat-sealed together."Such a bag structure is more fully described anduclaimed in mycopending application-Serial No. 627,643, filed November 9, 1945.

In any event, where it is desired to provide a moisture-vaporproo'finnerflinerffand one which will be greaseproofa Webv'of material shouldbe used' which inherently `has such characteristics; or a web should beused whichhas-an Yoverall coating of a suitable surfacing-magent wherebysuch characteristics, includingv'heatesealable `.properties, will beprovided.

itis an important 'feature' of the invention that the inner surface'area oftthe :innerfliner bag `be at least equal tothe'ffa'r'eaofthe-inner-surfa'ce of the outer Wall 1bag. -In lfact, vitis preferable to have the inner"walltbagsomewhat oversize'vas comparedwith the outer wall bag as illustrated in Figs.' lill 'of thedrawin'gs.

The inner liner bag should belpartiallyfinserted Within theOniferi-reinforcing bag so that the bottom of the inner' bag iis spaceda substantial distance 'from -the bottom bf-hthe v'outer""vvall 'bag lasdepicted in FigJE. v-"lChis'Tv/fill;permit'the'liinner wall bag I5 toextend approximately an equal distance beyond the top `vof-the outerWall bag.

Preferably, the margin'al verticalifse'ams I',to gether vvi'thas muchofifthef'fadjacent inner-liner as is-neeessary, inayibfol'ded over` aslillus'trated in Fig. d lto insert thelsamefwith-in the 'outerreinforcing bag. Inthisngure theputerr'einforcing bag is' illustrated'as' being of thegus'set'type. It should beunderstoodthat-ithefinventionfis 'intended to-ap'ply' to pcuchtypesor'guss'ete'd types of 'bag-and this includesf-bththe inner liner" bag aswell as the outer? reinforcing' `bag.

"The composite structure ofthe inner'liner -b'ag partially inserted inthe outer reinforcing bag frnay be shipped in tiiiscondition. 'Becauseof the snug nt' of theinn'er 'liilef'bag withinl the outer reinforcingbag the former will not easily tend to GIS settle to the bottom of theouter bag or become separated therefrom. When such bags are separatedfrom a stack they are quickly available for handling in connection withfilling and sealing operations.

When an operator desires to fill such a bag he may pinch the outer Wallbag together at the bottom-just below the inner wall structure as more`orless-diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 5. A guide mark on theouter bag can be utilized to 4.indicate the position of the bottom ofthe inner ybeoperated manually, by a foot treadle, or autoymatically.

As soon as the mounted composite bag structure hasV been moved under afilling spout I9 the bag may be iilled as illustrated in Fig. 6. TheWeight of the material will tend Ato bulge'thewalls ofboth bagsoutwardly. As soon-as the bag has bee'nilled theinneribag-Wll'beaccessible for thev sealing. operation.

Insea'lingfit is easy -to bring the oppositefaces ofthe-mouth opening ofthe bag together and secure them-in position depending upon the type ofliner construction used. That is, the mouth opening may bey adhesivelysealed together Where a'heat-sealable material has not 'been' utilizedin providing the liner-construction. If the liner has inherentheat-sealing characteristicsor is provided with a material which isheat-scalable, it is but necessary to apply heatI and pressureV to themouth opening by means of 'conventional sealing irons' 20 (Fig. 7).

It-will'be appreciated that the operatorhas not found it necessary toreach down'vvithinv the outer bag to perform the sealing operation.Because of the fact thatth'e inner lliner bag projects a considerabledistance above the reinforcing bag, the closing operation iscomparatively simple because of the accessibility of the 'mouth closureof the inner bag for sealing purposes.

`As soon as the inner bag has been filled and sealed the 'clampingmembers I8 can be moved apart a suflc'ient distance' to permit .theinner bag to settle to the bottom of the outer bag. "This can be done byholding the sides of the outer bag either by mechanical or-Inanualmeans.

vAs soon as the bag' has settled into thefposition illustrated in Fig. 8tl'lesealedportion ofthe inner liner indicated generally at ZI,preferably is folded over as Iindicated at22 in Fig. 9. Ilhe outer bagcan then `be brought together and vsecured by means ofY stitching as.indicated.,at=.23.

vIn the rnlodiiicationy shown .in Fig.y ll thefinner liner-bag -I i5 issecured to the .outer reinforcing bag -I-Il. 'IhisY-rnayvbedonetbyinserting .the sealed portion of the inner -linei` -betweenthe'op posed faces Vforming the opening of the outer wall bag-andstitchingboth togetheras indicated gcn erallyy at 223. Care should-beI taken-thatthe stitching entersy through the sealed portion 4of the linner bag sothatwt-her-efis nopenetration in the throat area.

In the preferred' embodiment the closure ol' the inner linerfbag isfolded'downwinto `the outer reinforcing bag so that the inner liner bagis completely free-fromeny attachment to :the outer bag. The fact thatthefinner:liner'ibagfis at-.least ofthe saine inner surface area asthe'-inncrsurface area of the'outerifwal1"bag,` orpreferably somewhatoversize will prevent ipressure 'exerted by the weight of materials fromrupturing the inner liner bag. l

It will thus be seen that the objects hereinbefore set forth may readilyand einciently be attained and since certain changes in carrying out theabove method, and certain modifications in the article which embody theinvention may be made without departing from its scope, it is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is:

1. A method of filling composite bag structures of the kind describedwhich comprises providing an outer reinforcing bag and an inner linerbag. of at least equal inner area to said outer bag, i

inserting said inner bag within said outer bag so that its bottom isspaced from said outer bag a substantial distance with the top of saidinner bag extending from the top of said outer bag, squeezing togetherthe bottom of said outer bag below the bottom of said inner bag, llingsaid inner bag, closing and securing together the top portions thereof,permitting the inner bag to settle to the bottom of the outer bag, andclosing and securing together the top portions of the outer bag abovethe inner bag.

2. A method of filling bags of the kind described which comprisesproviding an outer reinforcing bag and an inner liner bag of at leastequal inner area to said outer bag, inserting said inner bag within saidouter bag so that its bottom is spaced from said outer bag a substantialdistance with the top of said inner bag extending from the top of saidouter bag, squeezing together the bottom of said outer bag below thebottom of said inner bag, lling said inner bag, adhesively sealingtogether top marginal wall portions thereof, permitting the inner bag tosettle to the bottom of the outer bag, and closing and securing togetherthe top of the outer bag above the inner bag.

3. A method of filling bags which comprises providing an outerreinforcing bag and an inner liner bag of heat-scalable material and ofat least equal inner area to said outer bag, inserting said inner vbagwithin said outer bag so that its bottom is spaced from said outer bag asubstantial distance with the top of said inner bag extending from thetop of said outer bagzsqueezing together the bottom ofy said outer bagbelow the bottom of said inner bag, filling said inner bag, heat-sealingtogether top marginal wall portions thereof, permitting the `bottom ofthe inner bag to settle to the bottom of the outer bag, and closing andsecuring together the top of the outer bagabove the inner bag.

4. A method of filling bagsy which comprises providing an outerreinforcing bag and an inner liner bag of heat-scalable material and ofat least equal inner area to said outer bag, inserting said inner bagwithin said outer bag so that its bottom is spaced from said outer bag asubstantial distance with the top of said inner bag extending from thetop of said outer bag, squeezing together the bottom of said outer bagbelow the bottom oi said inner bag, filling said inner bag, heat-sealingtogether top marginal wall portions thereof, permitting the inner bag tosettle to the bottom of the outer bag, and stitching together topmarginal wall portions of the outer bag with said marginal wall portionsof said inner bag secured between the stitched top marginal wallportions of said outer bag.

5. A method of filling composite bag structures oi the kind describedwhich comprises providing an outer reinforcing bag and an inner linerbag of at least equal inner area to said outer bag, inserting said innerbag within said outer bag so that its bottom is spaced from said outerbag a substantial distance with the top of said inner bag extending fromthe top of said outer bag, squeezing together the bottom of said outerbag below the bottom of said inner bag, lling said inner bag, closing.and securing together the top portions thereof, permitting the innerbag to settle to the bottom of the outer bag, and closing and securingtogether the top portions of the outer bag.

CHARLES A. SOUTI-IWICK, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number

